Rating: 
Summary: You'll get what you paid for
Review: I went to see this film in the hopes of seeing some good action and perhaps a bit of engaging plot concerning the history of modern Japan, and I'll admit, I was not disappointed. Still, I think the fans of Tom Cruise and the modern Hollywood presentation would have seen this as more of an overwhelming hit than I did, as I plunked down for 150 minutes of what was, after all, the fabled silver screen that had so entertained me as a kid in the 1970s. What it looked like, more than anything else, was a new entry in the style of shoot-em-up (or slice-em-up) Western movies, as indeed the time setting would make it, at 1876 - 1877. Cpt. Algren, late of Custer's fame in the post-bellum Indian campaigns, is off to assist the nascently forward-looking empire of Japan, who seems to be having its own trouble with stubborn indigenous folk. In taking a newly-formed conscript army to the field against the nobly-savage Samurai (are these the same "Samurai" I remember there being seven of?), he comes face-to-face with who they really are, under the care of the gracious Taka (Koyuki), who bids him to carry on the tradition of her family's honor, using his "mind". Don't worry, the "mushy" parts aren't all that frequent, as in the typical John Wayne or James Stewart classic, so the younger boys won't have to keep their eyes shut long. I was indeed struck by the immense quality of the cinematography, on what appeared to be a 2.35:1 aspect screen, and the action buffs will be thrilled by all of the assorted combat, both hand-to-hand and (one-sidedly) firearms-related. Students of Japanese will approve of the dialogue (including by Cruise) in that language, though I had to keep my glasses fully on to read the subtitles. My overall effect, upon walking back into reality, 127 years later, was one of feeling good. This is what we earn our entertainment dollars (or Euros, Yen) to buy, and it was well worth it. This is pretty much what we expect from American cinema, and thus, they've made it.
Rating:
Summary: Honorable Samurai
Review: The place - Japan. The time - the late 1800s. Japan is on the way to modernization, but not all approve. Samurai find that their time-honored code of bushido and beliefs to be hopelessly out of synch with Japanese society and favor with the emperor. Into this clash of old versus new comes Tom Cruise as a burnt-out soldier who hopes to find meaning to his life. At first a captive, he comes to understand, respect, and eventually side with the samurai in their noble but futile struggle against what must be.An excellent film for afficinados of Japanese culture, martial arts, and those who desire their action films to have three dimensions.
Rating:
Summary: "Meiji Patriotism"
Review: A solid war film with epic battle scenes. A bloodbath, however, with a penchant for excessive violence, this film seeks a portrayal of glory and honor through battle in the name of the Emperor. (On an ancillary note: Cruise exercises considerable poetic license, but this is overshadowed by the sheer framework of the story itself--the way it should be for historical narrative.) The Framing of the film. As pointed out in the film, the term 'samurai' means 'to serve' and the eeking out of this fidelity to imperial principles is the backdrop for conflict to be settled in a massive bloodletting--what we have here is an eclipsing of the times. Foreign influences invading and suffocating cultural heritage, advanced weaponry and commercialism strangling the Japanese economic and political powers. What frames this contest of arms vs. honor, of modern vs. tradition, is a mutiny of cultural identity that has turned the government in on its own people. A nation whose own traditions are left to the wayside in favor of a 'costume' of foreign security. This is a country eating itself up--a self-devouring nation ravaging itself and thereby allowing outsiders to ravage it further. This crisis of national identity--the effect of "wannabes" donning the latest novelty fad and "purists" upholding a cultural epistemology--divides the nation and sets the stage for an unforgettable clash of political ideology. For those who enjoyed the "Meiji patriotism" of the samurai exhibited in The Last Samurai, I recommend Yukio Mishima's classic novel, Runaway Horses, which chronicles the rise of leftist("purist") resentment towards invading influences that were growing rampant(cancerous) in the nation's economic and political sectors during the modern era.
Rating: 
Summary: Touching!
Review: I agree with most of the other reviewers. This movie is an excellent, touching, and soon to be classic movie. Tom Cruise is simply Tom Cruise as always. He might not win the Oscar, but who needs Oscar when other actors go for Oscar to become as famous as Tom. The director does a good job, and this is one of the rare movies of 2003 that makes sense unlike Matrix or Terminator sequels. I recommend this one as a resolution for '04!
Rating:
Summary: ****1/2 Almost excellent
Review: The last Samurai is a very good film that falls just short of being great.That should not take away from the fact that it is one of the year's ten best films or that it contains one of the year's better performances in the form of Ken Watanbe, whose portrayal of a loyal Samurai leader is amazing as he draws you in to his world and culture. You can see why Tom Cruise follows him into his ways. This film is directed very well by the underrated Edward Zwick and Tom Cruise gives a very good performance. The only problem I have with this film is how self important it is. Even films of this magnitude should not tug so hard on the epic strings. We get the point that this is a big historical epic. No need to keep implying it. However, this film is still worthy of some awards and a good audience.
Rating:
Summary: You will be surprised.
Review: I do not have any interest in these kind of movies but a friend of mine wanted to see it so I went along not looking to enjoy the movie at all. Boy was I surprised at how good this movie was. It makes you feel for the Samurai and it is just a moving story all together. I don't recall seeing Ken Watanabe(Samurai's leader) in any other movie but believe me he steals the show in this one. I would compare it to Robert Duvall playing Gus in Lonesome Dove, Ken is Katsumoto. Great job by Tom Cruise, his best movie in awhile. Trust me on this one you will be pleasantly surprised at how good of a movie this is. I will own it on DVD the day i comes out.
Rating:
Summary: My 2nd Favorite Movie
Review: I saw this movie on the 28th of December. I walked out of the theater very, very, very satisfied with the movie. The audience was the worst audience I've ever sat through a movie with it. If the audience is bad, it can ruin the movie, and make you like it half as much. That's probably why it's only my second favorite movie. (My favorite being Office Space) Though this movie is rated R, it really isn't that bad. There is blood, but no gore. When someone gets stabbed, naturally, they're going to bleed. When somone gets shot, naturally, they're going to bleed. But, they're flesh isn't naturally going to be split apart. This movie keeps it realistic. To tell you what it's about: it's about an ex-civil war captain. He goes to Japan to teach the Japanese soldiers American tactics. In their first battle they aren't ready and get defeated. The captain gets captured and taken to a place with many Samurai. At first, he's their enemy. He then learns the way of the Samurai, and befriends the Samurai. To tell you anymore would be to ruin the movie. But I can tell you this much: go see this movie- you won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: one of the year's best, so far
Review: A film by Edward Zwick The year is 1876. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is a Civil War hero. Officially, he is also a hero in the fight against the American Indians, but Algren is tormented by what happened. He has nightmares and flashbacks of the slaughter of the Indians. He is selling his story as a stage act (with the intent to sell rifles for the company putting on the show), but is trying to bury his memory in whiskey. Algren is contacted by his former military commander, whom he hates with a passion because of the Indian slaughter. His commander has an offer for him from the Japanese. Algren is being recruited to train Japanese soldiers in modern warfare. Japan is trying to modernize and step away from some of its past traditions. To be specific, Japan is trying to separate from the Samurai tradition. The Japanese military is also trying to put down a rebellion from Samurai rebels who claim that Japan's modernization is happening too fast. Algren accepts the position (the money is good), and begins to train the Japanese. Even though they are making improvements, they are not yet ready for battle when they are commanded to fight against Katsumoto's (Ken Watanabe) Samurai rebels. The Samurai soundly defeat the army in the battle as the army is so undisciplined that they break ranks at the first charge. Algren is isolated and is fighting for his life. When Algren can fight no longer, one of the Samurai is prepared to kill him, but Katsumoto decides to take Algren prisoner. Even though it took some time to get here, this is where the movie truly begins. Algren is in the care of Katsumoto's sister, Taka (Koyuki). We are taken on a journey with Algren as he is nursed back into health but still deals with the scars of his past. Algren must spend the winter as a prisoner because when the snow falls, there is no way out of the village. During this time, Algren learns about the samurai through conversations with Katsumoto and he begins to come to peace with himself. There also seems to be a gentle love interest forming between Algren and Taka, but so much of it is unspoken and shown throw gesture and glances. I thought this was a beautiful movie. The cinematography was just stunning and while the film may have had a slower pacing, I found it incredibly engaging. Edward Zwick is the director of the underrated "Courage Under Fire" and "The Seige", "Legends of the Fall" and the excellent film "Glory". He doesn't make bad movies. "The Last Samurai" is one of the year's best thus far, and I would definitely recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning
Review: A stunning story and modern classic! Very well told and acted. The sets were incredible! The evolution of the main character was played out perfectly, and the story within the story couldn't have been better. This is a cinematic work of art!
Rating:
Summary: The Last Samurai- An Entertaining Epic
Review: The Last Samurai, the new Tom Cruise action epic features nice perfomances and great battle sequences. Director Edward Zwick who made the astounding "Glory" along with the fine film
"Legends of Fall," makes another epic with powerful direction.
Tom Cruise delivers a powerful performance as
captain nNathan Algren. He was a hero during the Civil War, but he feels much shame for a horrible atrocity which he participated in which was a slaughter of Indian women and children. He feels remorse for the Indians and much contempt in the general who he helped commit the act. So he flees to Japan to train the Japanese army for 500 dollars a month. During a beginning battle he is captured by a group of Samurai warriors. Ken Watanabe is so compelling as the Samurai leader he nearly humiliates Cruise. Cruise is so amazed by the teachings and beliefs of the Samurai he stays with them and fights for their cause.
Being a $140 million epic, The Last Samurai truly does deliver. The battle sequences are spectacular, some of the best since Mel Gibson's Braveheart. The Last Samurai is rated R for Strong Violence and Battle Sequences. The battles are not exceptionally bloody but include guns, bayonets, swords, arrows, spears and cannonfire. They are made to be more intense than actually gory.
The film has been nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Origianl Score are the nominees. It will probably receive a substantial amount of Academy Award nominations, we'll just have to wait and see. All in all a fine film worth viewing in theatres and owning on Video or DVD. For the Best Actor award, it will definetly be between Tom Cruise and Jude Law, in my opinion.
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